Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business solutions but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marc Barry, Co-Founder & CEO of Ronin POS, located in New Braunfels, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an event-based point-of-sale company where we service music festivals, sporting events, and conventions. We deploy point-of-sale terminals in temporary environments and specialize in cashless payments, featuring an RFID method of payment. My customers are the folks who produce music festivals or are the vendors selling things at these events.
Tell us about yourself
I spent most of my life behind the drums. I was active on the music scene in Austin, Texas, from 2001 to 2010 and in the Midwest in the 1990s. I had always been drawn to the admin side of the music business, so I found myself with an opportunity to start a cashless point-of-sale company in 2011. Since I had such a foundation in this environment and had worked in events for so many years, I wanted to start a company that drew from all of that. The years of dedicated experience in point of sale and payments, coupled with the relationships I'd built, really propelled me into this venture. I am motivated by the connections I make and the success and satisfaction that come from working hard.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think my biggest accomplishment is the trust I've earned from the people I work with. This environment comes with an expectation that technology just works. This is expected, however, when there isn't much knowledge of how it works or why it doesn't, when things are perfect. There is also a small window where you have to perform, and your environment can pose significant hurdles, so making it through that chaos with your technology working flawlessly is a major feat and can not have any visible signs of stress. No news is good news in this business.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing I've faced as a business owner is not recognizing when the people I've hired are not happy. Noticing when your employees are unhappy or stressed when simple communication could have solved that stress is probably the hardest thing I've had to deal with as a business owner. I am being pulled in many directions, so when a person I am tasked with holding up is feeling less than that, I take it hard. I should always be in a place where the well-being of my employees is first and foremost and regardless of how busy I am.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's all about who you hire. Your best tool is your inner circle. You are going to wear many hats, so you'll need to delegate, and there must be inherent trust in the process, goals, and work ethic.
- Stay positive. As a business owner, you could become paranoid and think worst-case all the time. It's never as bad as that, and your energy is contagious across the ranks.
- Do the work. You will feel the satisfaction of a job well done or enjoy the fruits of a well-oiled machine when you know you've done everything you can.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://roninpos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roninpos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronin_pos/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ronin-pos/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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